Any 30 somethings going back to school?

I am a early 40 something going back to school after retiring from my first career. My trick is to always get my exercise in at the start of the day. If I put it off, I am too tired, too busy or just too lazy to do it! Running in the morning is like my morning coffee. It wakes me and clears my mind for my busy day. Good Luck.

I'm 29. I'm be 30 in one 9 days though! Anyhow, I work full time for a non-profit that requires me to work a lot more than 40 hrs per week including evenings and weekends. I'm on my 3rd class of 14 for my MBA. I've been steadily losing weight. And I have a family, including a 4 year year old.

I wouldn't say there is any magic formula or advice. You just have to want all of it. When you get this busy, if you don't like or want to do something, it's very easy to justify not doing it! I pack my lunches a lot more now. I eat Subway when I don't have time to pack.

I totally agree with you that it was SOOOOO MUCH EASIER when I was 18. However, I just know this is what I want for myself and my life. And I'm willing to make it work. I refuse to use any part of it as an excuse not to follow through on something else. School/work isn't an excuse to avoid exercise (other than the fact that I rearranged my workout schedule to include a Thursday rest day because I'm out of my house from 7am-11:30pm on Wednesdays).The thing is, you just have to plan, be realistic in that plan, and then work that plan to make everything work together.

I went back to school in my forties with a family and work, and what saved me was using the gym at the school and taking walks, no matter how short,:happy: in between classes. Stay away from the cafeteria! and bring your own food, Good luck to you in maintaining a healthy life style and I applaud you for taking the leap to get your masters-good for you!

I am 39 and started school almost 2 years ago. I attend online through our state college system. I only take one or two classes at a time, so it is a slow go to my degree. I feel that by earning my degree later in life, I have more experience and it has helped me write papers, and provide interesting discussion topics. Also, my kids have seen me struggle with a class, just like they do. I hope they realize that not every subject is easy, and if we try hard we can pass. (Although I am waiting for my daughter to help me with my math classes, things aren't the same anymore!)

I work full time and go to school part time. I was telling one of my friends about a new book I was reading...and her first question was, "when do you read?" HAHA....it's all about good time management, planning ahead, and the mindset of "getting *kitten* done!" If you make things a priority, you will succeed.

I'm a 40 something and I'm starting back to get my degree. Hopefully next fall!

My wife and I are both heading back. Finishing our Bachelors now with 4 kids. I work full time day and take 12 hours a semester at night. She works nights and takes the same during the day. So we understand. Its worth it in the end and keeps the time flying by. Keep up the good work.

I started back to school when I was 25 and am now almost 32 and will finally have my bachelors in May. Go for it. It is a lot of work but it will pay off.

I'm an internship and thesis away from my MA. I work full-time, go to school part-time, have a 2.5-year-old...yeah, it's tough. You've gotta make being healthy a priority. Something always has to give--for me, it's sleep. I wake up at 3:40 during the week to get my workout in.

Congrats to everyone here for doing your best to achieve your goals, education is hard enough by itself let alone with jobs and family to balance.
The main problem i have at university is that i'm surrounded by cafes. Just on campus there are 2 coffee shops slash cafeterias and on the main street over there's an entire street of cafes and restaurants. It's so hard to get accurate calorie counts and be good when i get lazy and go there. Definitely always pack lunch if you know you're going to be tempted or try and choose the healthier options like the local subway if there's one close by.
Most campus gyms will give you cheaper options to use them too so if you pack some stuff with you you can pop in in between classes if it's well suited to your routine.
The other advice is that if you find yourself struggling you can always withdraw from a subject to ease the load, it takes a bit longer to finish but if you think you need the extra time to fit in some extra study for other subjects or family or work it's worth just taking the step back. You're still committed to finishing but if doing it part time makes it easier on you it may be a good option.

It's hectic to say the least!

I'm 31 (soon 32) and mom to a wonderful 2 year old girl. Currently I work part-time, go to school full time (also doing my Master's). Some days I feel so overwhelmed with all the work, but I ALWAYS make the time to work out, REGARDLESS. I also cook ALL of my own meals which also takes up a bit of time. I go to the gym on campus (so that saves me some money) early in the morning. Because of this I can only get 5 hours (6 if I'm lucky) of sleep every night. And I only get this much by kinda slacking off on my school work during the week and then going full force on the weekends. If you really want to do it, you will. I use this quote as my motivation: No one said it would be easy, they said it would be worth it. I truly believe that.

I did it graduated back in Dec. 2011. It is hard balancing working full time a family and exercising but it is all pre planning. I would prep my food on Sundays for the week that included all meals. I cut out all t.v. time and used that time for schoolwork and my saturdays and sundays were all schoolwork. I was lucky that my husband helped me out with housework and our son, and I would get up early at 5am to workout. It was hard and at times I was tired I also would take days off if I had a lot of schoolwork, but it is doable and it is rewarding after you are finished doesn't feel like it at the time but it is worth it.

You guys are inspiring!

The idea is a bit overwhelming, isn't it?

I'm hoping to start an MBA program this fall (studying for the GMAT right now)...with all the balls in the air, somedays I wonder about my sanity! :laugh: I think the best way to juggle everything is to experiement until you find what works best for you and then stay flexible.

Good luck to you! It will be worth it!

Good luck with it. I’m 30 and after qualifying as a Financial Advisor in my early 20’s I decided it wasn’t for me. I’m now working towards a Degree in Metrology which will be a 2 year part time commitment and I have completed some pre qualifications already. I’m also thinking about obtaining a Certificate in Astronomy and will register my interest for that next month. It’s not going to be easy fitting it all in but you only live once right?